Hydrocarbons

What are Hydrocarbons ? 

Hydrocarbons are organic compounds derived from crude oil and petroleum products. They are among the most common contaminants encountered on industrial and brownfield sites worldwide.

Hydrocarbon contamination is typically associated with:

• Oil refineries and petrochemical facilities
• Fuel storage terminals
• Service stations
• Former industrial sites
• Pipelines and tank farms
• Rail yards and transport hubs
• Chemical manufacturing facilities
• Accidental spills and leaks

Why are hydrocarbons a concern?

Hydrocarbons can affect soil quality, groundwater resources and human health.

Potential impacts include:

💧 Groundwater contamination

🫁 Vapor intrusion and air quality issues

🧬 Toxic and carcinogenic effects from specific compounds

🌱 Ecosystem damage

⚠️ Long-term environmental liabilities

Light hydrocarbons can migrate rapidly through soil, while heavier fractions may persist for decades if left untreated.

Remediation Strategies - State of the Art

Hydrocarbon-contaminated sites can be treated using several technologies. The choice depends on contaminant type, concentration and site conditions.

For heavily contaminated source zones, thermal desorption is recognized as one of the most effective technologies because it physically removes hydrocarbons from the soil matrix.

Hydrocarbons become increasingly volatile as temperature rises.

Thermal desorption:

• Breaks the bond between contaminants and soil particles
• Accelerates contaminant removal
• Treats both volatile and semi-volatile hydrocarbons
• Achieves remediation objectives within weeks rather than years

Typical removal efficiencies often exceed 95–99%, depending on contaminant type and treatment 

conditions. 

Soil targeted temperature at cold point is fixed between 150°C and 250°C in function of the product.

🔥 1. Controlled heating

Smart Burners™ circulate hot gases through a network of steel heating pipes installed within the 
contaminated soil.

The heat is transferred directly into the soil, ensuring homogeneous treatment and precise temperature control.

🌡️ 2. Hydrocarbons becomes Volatile

As temperature increases, hydrocarbons desorb from soil particles and their vapor pressure rises significantly.

Both light and heavy hydrocarbon fractions can be effectively removed.

💨 3. Vapor Extraction Under Vacuum

A dedicated extraction system continuously captures contaminated vapors and prevents uncontrolled emissions.

This ensures full containment throughout the treatment process.

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​🧪 4. Reburn Technology

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​Unlike conventional thermal remediation systems, Haemers Technologies integrates

  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​Re-Burn Technology directly into its Smart Burners™ process.

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​Contaminated vapors extracted from the soil are reinjected into the heating system, 

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​where they are destroyed at high temperature while simultaneously generating 

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​useful thermal energy.

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​No waste are generated and the pollutants gets completely degraded

Key Benefits

🎯 Permanent Contaminant Removal

Hydrocarbons are removed from the soil rather than contained or transferred.

📈 High Removal Efficiency

Thermal desorption routinely achieves remediation targets for light and heavy hydrocarbon fractions.

⚡ Fast Remediation

Projects are completed within weeks rather than years of biological treatment or monitoring.

🛡️ Reduced Long-Term Liability

Eliminates source-zone contamination and minimizes future environmental risks.

🏭 Ideal for Industrial and Brownfield Sites

Applicable to refineries, fuel depots, service stations, petrochemical facilities and former industrial sites.

You want to learn more ? 

Used cases